Bianca Farella announces retirement

Two-time Olympian Bianca Farella has announced her retirement, closing out an incredible 12-year career with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team with the most tries scored and most matches played by a Canadian on World Rugby’s women’s sevens series. 

"The time has officially come! I am proud to announce that my time in the Canadian jersey has come to a wonderful end. Now, it’s time to pass the torch to the ones who will take the sport to even greater heights,” Farella said on Thursday on Instagram. “To my teammates: Thank you for pushing me to be the best version of myself. Our shared memories, experiences and laughs will last me a lifetime. To my family and loved ones: You have been a constant source of strength throughout my athletic career. You’ve been with me through the most triumphant experiences as well as the most difficult ones. I am forever grateful for you and your unconditional love. And to the fans and ruggers who keep this sport spicy and alive: Thank you for loving our sport, loving our team, and being with us every step of the way. Go Canada!” 

Hailing from Montreal, Quebec and Town of Mont Royal RFC, Farella made her debut for Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team in 2012, the same year in which she was named CIS (now U SPORTS) Women’s Rugby Rookie of the Year with Concordia University. She launched her national team career by scoring 11 tries in the inaugural World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in 2012-13, and she would go on to become just the second woman ever to reach 150 career tries on the international series. 

In 2016, Farella was Canada’s second-highest scorer at the Rio Olympics, where she helped the team to a historic bronze medal. Along with competing at Tokyo 2020 as one of just six Canadians players to have played in two Olympics, Farella represented Canada at two Rugby World Cup Sevens, winning silver in 2013, and captained Canada to gold at the 2014 World University Championship. 

At the 2023 HSBC Canada Sevens, Farella played in her 44th sevens series event, a milestone achievement that at the time saw her tie Australia’s Sharni Williams for the all-time women’s record. 

“Bianca is one of the most well-known faces around rugby sevens. Her appearances and try statistics speak for themselves. With numerous world series accolades and an Olympic medal, it was a career of many ‘firsts’,” said Jack Hanratty, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team. “Over the last number of years, Bianca played a huge role in the sevens team, developing the team on and off the field, and although we will miss her in our training environment, we wish her every continued success.”